Editorial: 2 picks for Long Beach's District 5

The momentous and sweeping change that this election will bring to the residents of Long Beach and the communities that surround the city, which depend on it as an economic engine, is evidence by all the names who have stepped up to represent the people of this city.

It is a problem that is becoming all too familiar for these editorial pages in picking just one or two candidates to move on in this primary election out of a ballot roll filled with worthy candidates.

The race in District 5 seems to epitomize this problem. All four candidates vying to replace a longtime and much-loved outgoing district representative, Gerrie Schipske, have commendable traits.

But on this fresh-faced council, where five seats will change hands this year and two others may also be up for grabs, depending on the fortunes of our local leaders gunning for statewide seats, we defer to those we feel have the necessary experience to lead and affect change in our community on day one. Those qualities were best reflected in Carl Kemp and Stacy Mungo.

Although a newcomer to District 5, Mr. Kemp is a longtime resident of Long Beach, having attended Long Beach State and working at all levels in city government. He went from a legislative assistant on the city council, to overseeing its Government Affairs office and was tasked with overseeing the creation of a similar office at the Port of Long Beach.

“I've lived and breathed every corner of this city,” Mr. Kemp told us.

Despite leaving public service to run his own government relations business, Mr. Kemp proved he still possessed keen insight into the affairs over at City Hall and left no doubt of his ability to be an effective leader for District 5 residents. He also proved undeterred about larger issues affecting the city, offering an impressive institutional knowledge on many facets of Long Beach life.

Particularly, his honest appraisal of the city's remaining issues with unfunded liabilities, noting that the city had done all it could legally, but, as the largest city contributor into CalPERS, retains a unique position to leverage further reform out of the state. Further, his admission that the city was friendly to big business but that the same couldn't be said for small businesses was well-received.

Ms. Mungo also shares a wealth of experience in city government, working for both local and state government. Her career as a budget officer in Los Angeles County, handling millions of dollars in taxpayer money, offers insight into budget issues still left to face in Long Beach.

In the same vein, she told us, she will work to promote strategies to end the accumulation of long-term debt, bring more transparency to the budgeting process and look for ways to make city government more efficient. Particularly, the Long Beach native proposed positive ideas on creating a more business friendly city, by further streamlining the permitting and application processes.

The other candidates, Joe Luyben and Thomas Sutfin, also proved exemplary citizens, voicing ideas to bring positive change in the communities they serve. In Mr. Luyben, we found a charisma and willingness to roll up his sleeves when it comes to solving problems – a trait worthy of admiration. In Mr. Sutfin, there was an obvious devotion and appreciation for his community that cannot go unnoted.

While we hope both remain active in Long Beach political life, as their willingness to participate will continue to be invaluable, neither could match the experience of Mr. Kemp and Ms. Mungo. On this almost entirely new board, there can not be a learning curve.

That is why the Register's Editorial Board endorses Carl Kemp and Stacy Mungo as the best candidates that District 5 has to offer. • • •

Editor's note: Our Register Editorial Board met with every willing candidate running for election in Long Beach who agreed to be interviewed and in every race with two or more candidates. The primary election will be held April 8.

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